Winter precipitation and temperature constrain distribution of cedrus plants
The genus Cedrus Trew (Pinaceae) compromises four species of evergreen coniferous trees, which have important cultural, aesthetic, scientific and economic values. The four species are disjunctively distributed in the Mediterranean region and western.....»»
Tree mortality may lead to carbon tipping point in the Amazon by 2050s
The Amazon rainforest is home to a diverse cast of plants and animals. This vital, verdant landscape also plays a crucial role in managing the effects of climate change by storing significant amounts of carbon and helping regulate temperatures and ra.....»»
Islands in the sky: Could steep-sided hilltops offer safe haven to threatened species?
Species are disappearing at an alarming rate around the world. But Australia's extinction crisis is especially severe—since European colonization, we have lost about 100 species of animals and plants. The loss of 33 mammal species is largely due to.....»»
Why do plants wiggle? New study provides answers
In a new study, physicists from the United States and Israel may have gotten to the bottom of a quirky behavior of growing plants—and a mystery that intrigued Charles Darwin himself during the later decades of his life......»»
A new advanced framework to assess the impact of invasive plants on ecosystems
Researchers from the University of Freiburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen have developed a framework to better assess the impact of invasive plant species on ecosystems......»»
Climate model biases in global monsoon: Insights from interhemispheric energy transport
Global monsoon is a critical component of the global atmospheric circulation system. Variations in summer precipitation over the global monsoon region have large impacts on freshwater resources, which support about two-thirds of the world's populatio.....»»
"Monster plants": An expert guide to alien invasive species and the epic battles they win
A lot of people think of plants as pretty to look at, but defenseless and passive as far as organisms go. However, the many alien species—or "monster plants"—around us show we should never underestimate plants and the fascinating battles that go.....»»
First biogeographic map of ants reveals nine global realms
The distribution of species around the globe is not a random process but an outcome resulting from several evolutionary mechanisms as well as past and current environmental limitations. As a result, since the mid-19th century, biologists have identif.....»»
Bought too much toilet paper before that winter storm? Here"s why
Last month, as Typhoon Gaemi edged closer to Taiwan's shores, Cony Ho shook his head in dismay as he read the same familiar headlines: "Supermarket shelves left bare as typhoon approaches." "Ahead of Gaemi's landfall, customers buy up milk, instant n.....»»
Antarctica winter experiences prolonged heat wave
Antarctica, the world's coldest continent, is experiencing an exceptionally long heat wave during its winter, according to Britain's national polar research institute......»»
The plight of the pig-nosed turtle, one of the unlucky 13 added to Australia"s threatened species list
Australia's unique biodiversity is under siege. The national list of species threatened with extinction is growing, with eight animals and five plants added just last month......»»
New evidence from West Papua offers fresh clues about how and when humans first moved into the Pacific
In the deep human past, highly skilled seafarers made daring crossings from Asia to the Pacific Islands. It was a migration of global importance that shaped the distribution of our species—Homo sapiens—across the planet......»»
Extreme Weather Poses a Challenge for Heat Pumps
Stronger winds, bouts of extreme low temperature, and higher humidity pose difficult but surmountable challenges for heat pumps......»»
Chemists synthesize plant-derived molecules that hold potential as pharmaceuticals
MIT chemists have developed a new way to synthesize complex molecules that were originally isolated from plants and could hold potential as antibiotics, analgesics, or cancer drugs......»»
Researchers discover new mechanism to cool buildings while saving energy
With temperatures rising globally, the need for more sustainable cooling options is also growing. Researchers at UCLA and their colleagues have now found an affordable and scalable process to cool buildings in the summer and heat them in the winter......»»
First map of vegetation across Antarctica reveals a battle for the continent"s changing landscape
A tiny seed is stuck between loose gravel and coarse sand. There is nothing else alive around it. All it can see is a wall of ice reaching 20 meters up into the sky. It is cold. Survival is hard around here. In winter, it is dark even during the day......»»
The molecular shield: How tea plants combat drought through protein phosphorylation
Drought stress poses a significant challenge to agriculture, causing substantial yield losses in many crops. Tea plants, known for their rich flavonoid content which enhances both quality and health benefits, are particularly affected. Under drought.....»»
Study reveals mechanism used by tegu lizard to raise own temperature
A group of scientists has revealed the mechanism whereby Salvator merianae—the black and white tegu, also called the Argentine giant tegu—is able to keep warm by raising its own body temperature during the reproductive season even while it is in.....»»
Editing for resilience: CRISPR/Cas9 boosts potato stress resistance
Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in agricultural biotechnology by using CRISPR/Cas9 to edit the potato genome, resulting in plants with increased resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. This innovation could lead to a new era o.....»»
A 13-month streak of global temperature records just ended. Here are five takeaways
After 13 months of what felt like an endless breaking of heat records, the streak came to an end last month—just barely. The European climate agency Copernicus said Thursday that July 2024's average heat just missed surpassing July of last year. Wh.....»»
Volcanic eruptions that warmed the planet millions of years ago shed light on how plants evolve, regulate climate
Scientists often seek answers to humanity's most pressing challenges in nature. When it comes to global warming, geological history offers a unique, long-term perspective......»»